It didn’t hurt that I already
had 64,500 Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer miles in my account, previously
refunded for securing a waitlisted saver award.KrisFlyer miles expire after 3 years and there is no way to extend their
expiration currently.

As of March 23, 2017,
there have been some big changes with the KrisFlyer program.There are now no more fuel charges on
Singapore redemptions, which means less cash expenses when booking with
points.Unfortunately, the other changes
to the KrisFlyer program are negative.The
15% online booking discount is now discontinued.Also, all award-booking mileage rates have
gone up.I think of this as point
inflation.This is bound to happen over
time as more consumers increase their credit card rewards points and airline
mileage balances.

Sinagpore Airlines
does not have any direct business class flights from Taipei, Taiwan to Los
Angeles.If we booked with Singapore
Airlines, my father would have to fly from Taipei to Singapore, layover for 4.5
hours, and then fly to Incheon, Korea for a 2-hour stopover and then finally
fly to Los Angeles.Total travel time
would be almost 29 hours.This itinerary
would cost 170,000 Krisflyer miles
and 1,672 Taiwan Dollars ($55.53).

I decided to book my father two separate flights to save on travel time and
miles.

First, I found him a
Business Class seat on Japan Airlines from Taipei (TPE) to Tokyo, Japan
(NRT).I booked this 3-hour flight with 20,000 British Airways Avios transferred
from my Chase Ultimate Rewards points balance.The points transferred instantly and I only had to pay $25.80 in taxes and fuel charges. British Airways Avios provide excellent value for short haul flights.

Next, I booked my
father a flight from Tokyo, Japan (NRT) to Los Angeles (LAX) on Singapore
Airlines Business Class.This 10-hour flight
cost 115,000 KrisFlyer miles and
6,450 Japanese Yen ($58.42).

To make up the difference in miles needed to
book the flight (51,000 miles), I transferred 43,000 American Express
Membership Rewards points and 8,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points into my
KrisFlyer account.Points transferred over
within 24 hours from American Express and 48 hours from Chase.In the meanwhile, I secured a waitlist
position for the same flight, at 85,000 miles.If that opens up, I’ll get 30,000 KrisFlyer miles refunded back into my
account.

Singapore KrisFlyer miles can be transferred from all the major credit card points currencies: Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citibank ThankYou Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints, and American Express Membership Rewards.

How much did we save?

If we were to book my
father’s one-way flight with cash on Singapore Airlines Economy Class, his
flight would have cost 26,068 Taiwan Dollars ($865.82).

After factoring
in the taxes and fuel charges paid ($25.80 + $58.42), we saved a conservative
estimate of $781.60 for my father’s
flight(s)!

My father has never
flown Business Class before and he is quite excited for this trip.

Japan Airlines Business Class

Singapore Airlines Business Class

My dad's Business Class tickets grant him access
to the nice airport lounges in Taipei and Tokyo.He’ll be treated like a VIP in the sky.Since I gave him the Global Entry benefit
from my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, he will be able to make it through
airport security in a breeze.

I love credit card
points because I can share them with a loved one by purchasing airfare for them
– with little to no cash out of my pocket.Air travel makes an excellent gift!